Fury sat curled on the floor in his natural timber wolf form as he worked up the will to walk out and talk to Aiden. Every time he thought he had his anger under control, it surfaced again, making him retreat back to the floor and he eyed the door as he chewed on a shoe he had found in the closet. Chewing helped work out some of the anger, and made him pull back the animal part that wanted to rip out her heart. 1
It wasn’t really her fault that his Patria had been targeted, although it was through her that they had been. Growling low in his throat he dropped the shoe he had been chewing on, knowing that she would give him hell for it later, and looking forward to it. 2
Aiden glanced up as the door to the guest room opened and a timber wolf walked out. It still set her nerves on end to see one, and she gritted her teeth as it changed to human form as he walked.3
Since Savitar had left, she had been working things through in her mind, trying to come up with someway to save the wolves from being attacked, and at the same time, keep herself out of trouble. The past year had been one major emotional roller-coaster ride, and she just wanted the damn thing to stop so she could get off, go throw up a few dozen times, then move on with her life.4
Fury stared at her as he inhaled most of his anger away. “What are you going to do about Stryker’s threat?” he asked in a low growl.5
She so did not need this attitude from anyone right now. “Apparently, nothing.”6
He sighed and turned away. “I hope your arrogance isn’t expecting others to die while I’m sitting here protecting you.”7
Aiden blinked. “Enough people have died because of me, thank you.” She sighed. “I want to prevent that, but no one will tell me anything. I feel like some simplistic twit that no one trusts with anything.” 8
He felt a little better about that, but not much. “Would you mind an outside perspective from, oh, me?”9
“Shoot your mouth off, wolfie.”10
Fury curled his upper lip at her, then paused to get his thoughts in order. “Lady…shit happens.”11
Aiden glared at him, imagining herself running a talon through his eye. “It’s a little more complicate than that,” she said in a tight voice. “Since my mother died, it’s been one problem after another.”12
“Mothers,” Fury said with a disgusted grunt.13
“Shut up about things you know nothing about,” she said, feeling the need to defend her past.14
Fury looked at her, knowing that he should keep his mouth shut…but the animal in him sensed a weakness in her that he had to test. “Oh, I know mothers, little human. My father was just one in a long line of Katagaria that took their turn with my Arcadian mother after they captured her. Imagine his shock when she refused to become his mate. Her first and only litter...she had three Arcadians and three Katagaria… spit on the wolves and took me and my two brothers back with her as part of some deal with my old man. I had my mother’s love and respect, regardless of how I was conceived. The, puberty hit and I became animal.“ He turned away slightly. “Bet your mother never took a sword to you and left you for dead.” He glanced at her. “Anyway… yeah… shit happens. But lady, you have two of the most powerful people in the universe watching your back, and instead of whining about it every chance you get, you should be thanking them.”15
Aiden bit down on the urge to scream and stared at him. “When your mate kills your pack, and rams a knife into you, then offers you to Stryker as a sacrifice, let me know,” she said in a dangerously low voice. “’Cause until then, fuck off.”16
Fury watched as she calmly turned and walked to her bedroom door.17
~~~~~~~~~~~18
Nick sighed in frustration as the woman inside the door seemed to take forever to undo the security bolts. He forced himself to be calm, and smiled slightly as she looked at him while undoing the last bolt. 19
Calmly entering when she opened the door for him, he gave her a polite nod then continued on to the ornate counter that stood in the middle of the bank. Dressed in a business suit that seemed completely out of place on him, Nick took of his dark sunglasses, making sure he didn’t cringe under the bright indoor lights. 20
“Good morning,” he said pleasantly. “I have an appointment with Mr. Glaser.”21
The woman returned his smile as she checked the appointments of the day. “Mr. Nichols?” she asked.22
Nick nodded politely. The altered form of his first name was one of the mane aliases he had maintained during his living years, and one of the few that he had managed to build up a large history on. The identification was real, supplied to him by the Squire’s Council via the government, and hopefully one that they hadn’t cancelled after his death. 23
“Come with me, please.” The woman stood and headed towards a secured gate. She waited while Nick produced his identification, then led him to a small windowless office. 24
A tall, handsome blonde man stood from the desk, motioned to the chair across the desk from him, then returned to his seat after Nick sat. The receptionist left, closing the door behind her. 25
“What can I do for you, Mr. Nichols?”26
“I am the light of the lyre,” Nick said, and had the satisfaction of the completely look of surprise on the other man’s face. 27
“Pardon?”28
“Is that not the phrase that Apollites and Daimons used to seek shelter from another Apollites or Daimons?” Nick asked easily.29
“Who are you?” Mr. Glaser demanded.30
“Let me guess,” Nick said, ignoring the question. “You’re only half-Apollite.”31
“That doesn’t answer who you are.”32
“I knew bank fees liked to suck people dry,” Nick joked, “but I had no idea their employees did, too.”33
“What do you want?” the other man replied with a weary sigh.34
Nick smiled. This was going to be easier than he thought. “Access to a few security deposit boxes,” he said as he passed a small index card across the desk. “Specifically these ones.”35
“I suppose it would be asking too much if you had the keys?”36
“It would be, yes.”37
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~38
Something touched her cheek, causing Aiden to brush at it sleepily. The sensation, which had felt like a light kiss, caused her to smile and brought her out of her slumber. Inhaling deeply, Aiden rolled over on her bed and opened her eyes. She blinked, then focused on the pillow by her head. A small teddy bear, dressed in white beach pants and an opened Hawaiian print shirt held a single red rose in its paws. She smiled at the simple gesture, knowing that it was extra special because of the person it was from.39
Savitar waved his hand, distorting the view he had of Aiden in her bed. He didn’t know why he thought something as simple as a teddy bear would appeal to her, but had gone with that first instinct. She looked happy to see it, and that was all that really mattered to him. 40
Earlier, he had sensed her anger and unhappiness, and knew that he had something to do with causing it. He never wanted to hurt her in any way, or take that fire out of her that always argued with him. He didn’t feel guilty about not telling her the things she wanted to know, since her knowing would alter them, but he did feel bad that his secretive nature caused her turmoil. One day, soon, she would know all, and he only hoped that she could forgive him for what she would find out. He could still see the day she would tell him to get lost forever, but now, curiously, the image wasn’t as clear in his vision as it had first been. That gave him both hope, and fear.41
Savitar knew that if he wanted her in his existence, then the anger part of him had to leave. If something pissed him off, he destroyed it. It fit him at one time, and he grew accustomed to it being there. Underneath his calm exterior, he was still an emotional maelstrom, but he had to work at controlling how he displayed that. 42
Eons ago he had been created for one simple thing; to destroy. Savitar was a Chthonian, a god killer. Every ancient pantheon had a way to keep their gods in line, and for that sole reason, he had been created. Nothing could kill him, except for another of his brethren, and he had been very good at his job.43
The gods back then had been afraid of him and most still were. They refused to mention his name for fear of bringing his attention to them. The only ones who really held no fear were other Chthonians. Then like most hierarchies, cracks started, then grew. God-killers started attacking other god-killers. 44
During the Chthonian civil war, he’d killed when he needed to, and only those that came looking for him. Friends turned on him, stabbing him in the back, literally. Left for dead, they didn’t count on his will to live so he could unleash his own little justice on their unsuspecting asses. After that, well… it just didn’t seem worth it to care for anything or anyone except himself. 45
Retreating to Neratiti in an attempt to heal both his body and mind, his solitary nature was something he needed, and was what sustained him for over ten thousand years. 46
He had reached out to the Were-Hunters when they were too busy trying to annihilate each other, and created the Omegrion. Part of him wanted to keep them from doing what his own had done, while another part wanted the healing that caring for the future of something he had no part in creating would bring him. 47
Mediating the Omegrion gave him something to work on and try to bring the cosmos back to the level it should have been at, while Neratiti helped soothe his inner demons. For millenniums, it worked. Then…in walked Aiden.48
And everything flew out from under his structured life like a surfboard hitting a rogue wave. 49
~~~~~~~~~~~50
The bank proved informative, yet held no real substance for Nick to follow up on. The contents of the boxes that he had managed to gain access to had been photocopied and photographed, with the originals back in place to show that nothing had been amiss. The Apollite banker had been more than forthcoming with Nick to keep himself from being exposed. Not that it was uncommon to find a half-Apollite in business, it was just that the less people who knew about it, the better. 51
Checking his watch, Nick decided to make one more stop before heading back to his place, and altered his course. The Daimon that had eluded him the previous evening lived in a small house on a heavily shaded street, the tall trees along the sidewalks blocking out most of the sun. 52
Walking like he belonged there, Nick made his way to the front door, and used some of his powers to unlock it before silently slipping in. He made his way through the dark living room, his eyes seeing far better in the dark than the light. Heavy drapes covered the windows, blocking out what light the trees let through. Nick quietly walked to the back area of the house, peeking through various doors before he spotted the soul-sucker sleeping in a large bed. 53
Creeping to the side of the bed, Nick stared down as he took a switchblade from his pocket, and pushed the button. The swish-click of the blade woke the Daimon, who stared first in shock, then hatred. 54
Without a second thought, Nick brought the blade down, piercing the Daimon’s black spot on his chest and disintegrating him instantly. Nick turned, closing the blade as he walked out of the room, then went straight to the front door, and continued on his way back to his place. 55
~~~~~~~~~~56
Sniffing the air, Fury started to drool at the scents that were coming under the door. Inhaling deeply, he changed to human form, dressed, and made his way to the kitchen. Aiden glanced up at him as she sat at the table, and motioned to a plate of food that sat opposite her.57
Forcing himself to be patient, Fury sat in the chair and picked up the knife and fork. He would prefer just grabbing the steak and ripping into it, but animal or not, there were still some human traits that he liked. Sitting at a table, he followed those rules. He contemplated asking her to put it in a doggie dish for him, and wondered if she actually would if he asked her. 58
He studied her as they ate in silence, and noticed that she somehow seemed different. He sniffed the air, trying to pick up the scent that came with various emotions. Not detecting anything, he right out stared at her as he took another bite of a surprisingly excellent medium-rare steak.59
“You’re staring.”60
Fury nodded as he chewed, then swallowed. “Just wondering if the pod-people plan on coming for me next.”61
Aiden raised an eyebrow in silent amusement. “I haven’t been replaced, wolf,” she said. 62
He inclined his head in a nod. “Excuse me for thinking it. Since I’ve been here, your emotions have been very…well, emotional. Today, they’re muted.”63
“Not muted,” she said. “Just under control.”64
“Why?”65
Aiden shrugged slightly and stood to take her plate to the sink. Fury watched as she slowly walked out of the kitchen, and basically fell onto the couch. He knew that look on her face, the one that announced that she was resigned to whatever fate held in store for her. He’d worn that expression enough himself, and didn’t really like seeing it on someone else, even if it was an Arcadian. 66
Pulling out his cell phone, he sent off a quick text message. He went to close his phone, then suddenly remembered the picture he had taken in the bar. Flipping through the images he had, mostly of his brother Fang making faces, and to which he reminded himself to keep his phone far away from Fang’s clutches in the future, he arrived at the picture in question. 67
The resolution was slightly fuzzy, but features were easily made out. His head jerked up as someone knocked on the door, and he was to his feet before Aiden could get up from the couch.68
“I got it,” he said as he walked past her. A quick peek through the hole in the door to confirm it was his reply to his text message, and he opened it. 69
“Hi wolfie!” Simi said as she bounded into the room. She took one look at Aiden sitting on the couch, and then faced him. Placing her hands on her hips, she waited for him to talk. 70
“I have to…do…something,” he said to Aiden, not used to lying. “And you look like you could use some…chick time…or something…” He sighed. “Anyway… yeah.” 71
Simi raised an eyebrow in amusement as he walked out the door. “Way too high-strung,” she said, then turned to Aiden. “Why are you sad?” she asked. “Tell the Simi who it is, and I’ll eat him for you.”72
~~~~~~~~~~73
Teleporting himself first to his pack, Fury quickly checked out the defenses that they were setting up. Barring Stryker arriving dead center in the area, they were fairly well protected. All those who were unable to fight or defend themselves were moved to an undisclosed location.74
Picking up on his brother’s scent, Fury trotted to a large group of wolves that had their attention on a man who was speaking. Vane Kattalakis stopped mid-sentence, and waited while Fury reverted to human form. 75
“I have to talk to you,” Vane said in an even voice.76
“I would imagine so,” Fury replied in the same tone. He looked at the wolves around them. “A lil’ privacy, thank you.”77
Vane waited until they were alone before he spoke again. “What in the name of Hades is going on, Fury? I thought Savitar said that this wouldn’t harm the pack.”78
“Then go bitch at Savitar instead of me.”79
“I happen to want to live to see tomorrow, thank you very much,” Vane said. He shook his head with a sigh. “Tell me.”80
Fury ran a hand over his face as he got his thoughts in order. “Stryker called Aiden, threatened her, then told her that since the eagles had such a great thinning out last year, that it should be wolf time.”81
“That seriously sucks shit.” Vane raked his fingers through his long brown hair. “Anything else?”82
“Only if she wanted to stop it, then she could trade herself for us.”83
Vane stared at him for a few moments. “I hope she’s not thinking of trading herself.”84
It was Fury’s turn to stare. “Why not?”85
“Stryker doesn’t make deals like that, brother. He takes what he wants, when he wants. The only time he ever deals is when his life is on the line, or he knows he can get something far better as a result.”86
“So…she trades, and he still attacks.” Fury growled in annoyance. “Any chance of help from anyone?”87
“The bears didn’t seem too keen to help.” Nicolette Peltier, the head of one of the largest bear families in New Orleans had been less than enthusiastic when he approached her. “She’s still pissed about Fang and Aimee.”88
“Well, hell.” Fury shook his head. The Peltier family, owners of the Sanctuary bar in New Orleans, were Katagaria bears. Their only daughter had been in a romantic relationship with Fang Kattalakis, which ended badly when found out. “Ash?”89
“Not returning phone calls.”90
“What?” Fury’s brow creased in confusion. “Simi’s with Aiden now. When I get back, I’ll get her to deliver a message.”91
Vane crossed his arms over his chest. “If this happens, where are you going to be?”92
“Where do you think?” Fury snapped. “I won’t let the pack down, Vane. I promise you that.”93
~~~~~~~~~~~94
Papers covered the low coffee table and most of the couch as Nick looked through them. The photocopies from the bank held some clue, he was sure of it. The arrow hadn’t been there, and he had a sinking feeling that it would take a lot longer to find than he originally thought. 95
Although Dark-Hunters were suppose to give up their ‘living’ lives, many still held on to pieces to that tied themselves to their past. He couldn’t see Keegan being any different from the others. At least he hoped he wasn’t. 96
If all else failed, Nick would consider one of two options; giving up, or hopping a plane to Hawaii and looking for the arrow himself. 97
A shadow suddenly fell over the papers, and he forced himself not to jump or even look up. “The doorbell works,” he said casually as he reached for another paper. 98
The Katagaria eagle that he had watching Aiden gave him a frown. “The wolf left a while ago. Alone.”99
Nick finished reading the paper and reached for another one. “Yeah?”100
“Flew by her patio window,” the eagle said. “She’s there, along with a pretty young thing.”101
“Who?” Nick asked, still not looking. As long as Aiden still had someone with her, he considered her well guarded. 102
The eagle shrugged. “Medium height, pretty, long black hair with a red strand, dressed like a mismatched Goth.”103
Nick slowly looked up at the eagle. Simi. He kept the anger off his face at the description of the demon that had led to his death. He fleetingly wondered if it ever bothered her that Ash had cursed him because Nick had been the one to take her virginity.104
“Let me know when the wolf returns,” Nick said, his voice sounding surprisingly calm.105
The eagle nodded once, then instantly vanished. 106
Nick stared at the wall for a long while as thoughts swirled through his brain. He wanted to find Simi and destroy her in an attempt to get some revenge for his death. Forcing that thought away for the time being, he went back to the papers, trying to concentrate. If he could find the arrow, he’d use it on Simi first…just to see the pain on Ash’s face when he realized he’d lost the one thing that truly mattered to him. 107
~~~~~~~~~108
“Men are men,” Simi said as she sat on the couch with Aiden. She paused to shove a handful of popcorn in her mouth before continuing. “They’re selfish, and rude, and have to be reminded to be nice. Even Akri is likes that sometime.” She nodded as she grabbed another handful of the popcorn. 109
Aiden smiled slightly as she picked at the snack. She had to admit that she was feeling better with Simi there to talk to. “I just feel…used…at times.”110
“That’s not good,” Simi replied. “You haves to tell Savvy that. I don’t think he means to do that to you, but he’s been alone for a long times and probably doesn’t know how to act around you.”111
Aiden had never thought of it like that. “How long have you known him?” Maybe if she got a feel for his past, she’d be able to see where he got the arrogant jerk attitude from.112
“Long time,” Simi said. “After Akri died.” She stopped and looked at her. “You know Akri died, right?” Getting a nod, she continued. “Anyways, after the Heifer Goddess did her usual being mean to Akri, and after he died, he came alive again, and had his powers still with him.” She stopped to grab more popcorn.113
“The powers he gots on his twenty-first birthday stayed after he died, well, really, he didn’t have them long since Bitch-Goddess’s idiot brother gots mad, and anyway, if you want to know that, ask Akri, but, after he gots his powers and life back, it was kind of bad for a while.”114
“Bad?” Aiden was enthralled with the story, regardless of the confusion that always came with ‘Simi-speak’. 115
“Akri was young and scared, the Simi was young, and not so scared, but I pretended so that Akri wouldn’t feel bad about being scared. Heifer Bitch Goddess turned her back on him, his mother didn’t talk to him, and no one wanted to be near us.”116
“That sounds bad.”117
Simi nodded. “It was. Then, one days, this tall man appears. He was tall like Akri, and looked sad like Akri, although he tried to hides it, but the Simi can tells these things. He told Akri that he was going to help him channel and control his powers and all that. He could hear things that Akri didn’t say, and know things before they happens.”118
“Savitar?”119
Simi nodded as she reached in the bowl again, only to come up empty handed. She looked down, tilting to bowl to check, then looked at Aiden with a frown. She smiled as the bowl refilled with popcorn. “Sees, you never liked to do that before, cause you never liked to use your magick, but you’re doing it now. Savvy is good like that. He doesn’t tell you what to do, but leaves little hints along the way for you to find your own way and to use your own powers in your own times, like he did with Akri back when they first met, and like he’s doing with you now.”120
Aiden smiled slightly. “I do use them more now, yes. But…”121
Simi dug into the popcorn. “But he acts like a jerk.”122
“Well…yeah.”123
“The Simi knows that Savvy does that because he likes you.” She leaned in closer. “And I mean really likes you,” she said with a conspiratorial whisper. “He looks at you like Vane looks at Bridie. Do you know Vane and Bridie?”124
“Not really.” Aiden had never really met Vane outside of the cabin in the mountains, but had been a little too busy to question him about his wife, Bride.125
“They’s friends of the Simi and Akri, and live in New Orleans. You know Vane’s a wolfie, and Fury’s brother, and Bridie is his wife and they look at each other with these dopey eyes that looks like they’re about to start crying or go to sleep or something, then Vane says something dopey and romantic to Bridie and she goes all ‘ahhhhh’ to him and then they kiss, and Akri tells them that we have to go and the Simi never gets to have any fun that way.”126
“He acts like a jerk because he likes me?” Aiden tried to work that one through her brain.127
Simi sighed. “No. Savvy acts like a jerk because, well, he doesn’t like people and wants to be alone, and he’s mean sometimes and doesn’t know how to handle things and being a jerk is easier for hims to do because then he can tells himself that he was right in what he did. But I think he’s trying to stop that and he’s been nicer lately than usual mostly with things that annoys him, and he don’t look really sad anymore like he used to before he met you and the Simi thinks that he’s mad at himself for breaking his,” she modulated her voice to a fairly good imitation of Savitar’s voice, “never loved and never will love rule.”128
“His…what?” 129
Simi cleared her throat to get her voice back to normal, and shoved more popcorn into her mouth. “Personally, the Simi thinks that Savvy’s just afraid of liking people because he’s been hurt too much in the past, and he sees what liking peoples does to Akri and he doesn’t wants that to happen to him.” She plopped more popcorn into her mouth, and chewed thoughtfully. “That doesn’t mean he has to act all jerkish, but he’s not likes that all the time, just when things gets to him and he needs to practice understanding that peoples don’t like that. You’d think that with his knowledge and smarts that he’d know that, but sometimes gods are just dumb.”130
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~131
The sun had just gone down as Fury sat in a booth in the rear of the diner, his back to the wall, and the entire area open to his view. He could see the corner of Aiden condo not too far away. He frowned, thinking it was further from the city than it was. He titled his head, realizing that although the condo sat on a hill overlooking the city, the back end corner of it was only a block or two from where he sat. The front opened on to the five-acre park like area, while the back was a quick stroll down the hill to part of the city.132
His gaze shifted as the door opened, and a tall man walked in. Dressed in beach pants and an opened Hawaiian shirt over a t-shirt, the man looked completely out of his element amidst the warmer jackets. Ignoring everyone else in the diner, he walked to the back and slid into the seat across from Fury.133
Savitar glanced up as the waitress appeared. “Beer,” he said. “Local's fine.” He waited in silence until she came back with the beer, and then raised it to his lips for a long drink. “All right,” he said as he put the bottle down and folded his arms in front of him on the table. “Why am I here?”134
Fury suddenly wondered if he should even be doing this, and grabbed the beer that sat in front of him and took a drink. He took his cell phone out as he put the bottle down, quickly went to the image of the eagle, and held it out.135
Savitar took the phone, instantly recognizing the Katagaria in the picture. He knew all the Were’s by sight, but this one he also knew by reputation. “What about him?” he asked as he passed the phone back.136
“He was at the bar last night,” Fury said. “And he carried the same scent that I picked up outside of Aiden’s building earlier that day.”137
“He’s an eagle, she’s an eagle,” he said as he took another drink from his beer. 138
“Maybe,” Fury said, less than convinced. “Who is he?”139
“Trouble,” Savitar told him. “Makes you look like the poster 'Were' for warm and fuzzy.” He took another drink. “Speaking of which, who’s doing your bodyguard job?”140
“Simi.”141
“Why?”142
Fury knew that the man across from him most likely knew the exact reason, but he had a weird way of wanting people to actually say what they thought. “Because Aiden looked like she needed to talk with someone she knew and trusted.” And I don’t think she trusts you. 143
Savitar heard the thought in Fury’s mind. Not the he blamed him. If he were Aiden, he wouldn’t exactly trust himself right now either. “Explain.”144
Fury held back a sigh. “She…smells different today,” he said. “Almost like there’s no fire left inside of her and she’s running on automatic.”145
“I see.”146
“It’s like this Stryker thing is breaking her.” He regarded Savitar evenly. “And speaking of Stryker, any idea where Ash is? Vane’s been trying to call him for help if Stryker attacks, and-“147
“Don’t bother,” Savitar interrupted. 148
“’Scuse me?”149
“Ash is busy, and most likely will be for a few more days.” Savitar stood from the table. “Defend your pack the best you can, and it’ll be fine.”150
Fury watched as the immortal walked out of the diner, and wondered if there had been something in the conversation that he had missed. It’ll be fine? That made him feel slightly better, but didn’t take away the worry that had been his companion since Stryker’s phone call.151
~~~~~~~~~~~~~152
Nick slunk further back into the shadows as he recognized someone who was crossing the street. Cursing his luck that Savitar was in the area, Nick kept an eye on him until he walked out of site, then stepped back out to continue his surveillance of the condo building.153
“Is it worth it?”154
Nick whirled at the voice behind him, fangs bared and his hand going for one of his weapons. He stopped when he realized who it was, and looked back down the street to where he had just seen the man walking.155
"Is it worth it?" Savitar repeated.156
"I don't know what you're talking about."157
"Is it worth holding on to the anger and blinding yourself to the important things."
Nick closed his eyes behind the glasses and suppressed a sigh. "No offence Savitar, but I'm not up for your cryptic riddles." 158
Savitar smiled in understanding. "Then let me put it another way." His expression changed to something deadly. “I know what you’re doing, Nick,” he said in a low voice. “Play any game you want, with whoever you want, I don’t give a damn...but you hurt Aiden Falconidae, and there will be no force in the cosmos that will save you from me.”159
Nick’s reply was cut off as Savitar vanished in a puff of blue smoke. “Hell,” Nick hissed. He contemplated continuing his watching, but put it off for another time. The warning scared him, and he had enough respect for Savitar’s powers to know that he had to be extremely careful in anything he was planning on doing. He was just thankful that Savitar hadn’t seen him in the daylight, or else he’d have had a hell of a lot of explaining to do.160
Savitar appeared in the hallway outside of Aiden’s door, and exhaled. Seeing Nick lurking about had put him in a bad mood, and he had to get rid of that mood before he talked to Aiden.161
A few minutes of deep breathing and burying the anger deep down helped, and he reached out to knock on the door.162
The door opened and Simi stood in it, looking at him like she was studying him. She seemed to reach a decision and she took a step towards him, closing the door slightly behind her. 163
“Are you going to be a jerk?” she asked.164
“I’m not planning on it, no.”165
“Then you can sees Aiden,” she replied seriously, and pushed the door open, turned, and walked in. “Savvy’s here,” she announced. “And he says he’s not planning on being a jerk.”166
Aiden arched and eyebrow at her while Savitar fought the urge to roll his eyes. 167
“That’s very nice of him,” Aiden said diplomatically. 168
“Simi will go now,” Simi told her, then turned to look at Savitar. She placed her hands on her hips. “Men!” she said with a small shake of her head, then vanished.169
Aiden studied him from the couch, smirking as he seemed a little uncertain under her scrutiny. “Yes?” she asked.170
“What?”171
“You came here to stand by the door?”172
Savitar smiled slightly and walked to the couch. He sat beside her, put an arm around her and pulled her to him. “I came here to see you,” he said in a quiet voice as he kissed her. “I am truly sorry if I’ve been a jerk.”173
“I know,” Aiden said and leaned into him. 174
He moved slightly so that his arm moved lower on her body and she could get closer. “I still can’t tell you why you can’t do things,” he tried to explain. “I really can’t. If you knew, then it changes far too many things.”175
“I understand.”176
“No you don’t,” he said gently as his hand gently rubbed her thigh. “You’re pissed off because I won’t tell, and it confuses you that all this is coming down on you at once, and it’s scary.”177
“Yeah,” she whispered. 178
“I can’t tell you how much it impresses me that you’re able to hold up under this,” he said as his hand moved to her inner thigh. “You’re one of the strongest non-gods that I’ve ever met.” He paused with a small laugh. “Hell, you’ve got more inner strength than half the gods I know.” He pulled back slightly to look her in the eyes. “And that makes me very proud to know you.”179
Aiden stared at him. “For someone who hates people, you sure know the right things to say.”180
He leaned back further on the couch, bringing her with him. “I’ve got great inspiration.”
Author notes
On Ash's 21st birthday, his god-powers were revealed.
Artemis' brother, Apollo, was the one that killed Ash.
In a list
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 5 of 5
-
i am a huge fan of the series, and you write as if it could be yours. You've really caught the genius of these characters and carried it out well. (You write Simi perfectly!) I love these fan-inspired works, and I hope you're looking forward to "Ascheron" as much as I am!
-
-
Thanks
I have the date on my calendar, and the bookstore has me on a list to call when they get the pre-ordering notices in for it. I'm ready!!!! But, I don't want to read it all the same... it will be the end of a legend for that section...and I'm not sure I like Jaden enough to read on for his 'section of books'... can't wait for Savitar's turn though
-
-
cool
long, but cool. i like the idea (= -
typos-
Nick 'mad' his way to the front door- hunting the daimen, should be 'made'
He frowned, thinking 'is' was further from the city than it was.- fury in the diner, should be 'it' or 'this'
“Beer,” he said. “Locals fine.”- savitar in diner, i do believe it should be "local's" because it reads 'local is fine'
wow i think that is the most observant i have been when it comes to spelling.
anywhos... i kind of wish you didn tell me who killed ash. i was waiting to read his story or hear it from him, but oh well.
and im glad that nick finally looked in those stupid boxes... and got a scolding by savvy. that made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. -
-
Typos fixed Thanks!!!
Apollo killing Ash has been in the books since the beginning and is one of the *many* sore spots between Ash and Artemis. If you're interested, the author is releasing "Ash's Story" later this year (unless dates change).... double novel explaining his past, present, and lady love. It will be a sad novel, I bet, and one I already have on order
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 5 of 5
